Hello Jim and Peter

Thank you, both, for your excellent advice. I have done as you have suggested and read the t&c's and I feel that I would prefer to go with the indepentant (insurance4carhire) policy for the extra cover, and of course, peace of mind.

Also thank you for offers to help - this is greatly appreicated and it is good to know that this is available to myself and anyone else who feels unsure of how to proceed.

A

Hi aggie

I'm, the Car Hire expert here at travelsupermarket.com so hopefully be able to help you clear up any queries on this.

Jim is spot on advising you to contact the company to explain the conditions that you aren't sure about and if you are still not clear on any of them give them a call back as they are in the best position to help you understand them.

Generally what you will find is that Collision Damage Waiver (or Loss Damage Waiver as its more commonly known in the States) is usually included in the price. What this gives you is insurance cover to drive the car much like your own insurance for your car you drive over here. This means that you will be insured but with an excess to pay in the case of any accident/damage caused by the driver.

This is where the extra insurance cover comes in to play. Companies will try and get you to sign up for a reduced excess at a cost when you are picking the car up (you can also mostly buy this at time of booking on the web site also). Alternatively there are companies out there such as insurance4carhire who offer this excess reduction at a cost also.

My biggest bit of advice that I will give to anyone and everyone is to read the terms and conditions fully before confirming any booking (this includes any excess reduction insurance you might take out) and agin as Jim advised call them if you are unsure. This gives you a clear idea of how much you are paying and should'nt then give you any surprise charges later on but always check your credit card to make sure no unauthorised charges have been taken out

I hope the above (apologies for the length) is of help to you but if yo have any other questions please don't hesitate to contact me on peter.edwards @ travelsupermarket.com (remove spaces around the @)

Pete

hello aggie

sounds good that you are deciding on the side of caution.

if it's of any help, you could reply with details of your cover (no personel details or cover reference)) just the main parts etc.... along with your name and i could contact them myself on your behalf. i have often contact travel companies etc... with some good results along with occasions when it's been like banging my head against a brick wall.

if you wish you can email me if you prefer at jshenderson2000ATyahoo.co.uk rather than posting on the forum. i cant always promise anything but on occasions i have found answers and solutions to questions on the forum. if you don't want to and very happy with the extra cover you've got, thats fine also and we can leave it at that, it's not a problem.

regards

jim

ps if you want contact Graeme Delap, Community Editor,
graeme.delapATmoneysupermarket.com
ive spoken to graeme on many occasions and he can hopefully vouch for me, if you want me to help. saying that i can understand that this is a public forum. if you are happy with your extra cover, great.

graeme is there anyone at travelsupermarket.com who can help aggie. cheers jim

Thanks Jim

I did make contact and whilst it was very prompt I am still a wee bit baffled but I think that they will offer further insurance upgrades when I get the car so I am going to error on the side of caution and get independant extra cover... and hope I never need it!

A

hello aggie

sorry ive never hired a car in the states, but what you could do is contact alamo at

alamoukwebATemea.vanguardcar.com or visit http://www.alamo.co.uk/Content/740/uk/ContactUs/

and quote all your details. i am sure they won't mind clarifying some of the points about your cover. it would be great if car hire firms could simplify their terms and conditions (many posts on this site about this).

regards

jim

I have hired a car in the USA for two weeks, through Alamo. On the confirmation email it states that "Collision damage waiver full Included & Supplemental liability insurance Include."

Does this mean that I do not need to take out a stand along CDW/SLI Car Hire insurance Cover, as some one has recommended.

Please help as I am confused!